Systems and methods for providing virtual monitors

ABSTRACT

Computer-implemented systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for providing virtual monitors. In accordance with some embodiments, a number of virtual monitors in which to provide a virtual desktop and a characteristic of one of the virtual monitors can be identified. A virtual monitor can then be generated based on the characteristic, and a portion of the virtual desktop can be assigned to the virtual monitor based at least in part on the identified number. An image of the portion of the virtual desktop can then be captured from the virtual monitor, and provided for presentation on a monitor of a client device.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/300,078 filed Jun. 9, 2014, which is hereby incorporated herein inits entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

Virtualization technologies have become widely used in recent years.“Virtualization” typically refers to creating a virtual version of aphysical device or resource. Many computing technologies can bevirtualized, such as computing devices, servers, desktops, storagedevices, networks, operating systems, and applications. In a hardwarevirtualization environment, sometimes also referred to as a platformvirtualization environment, a virtual machine can simulate a physicalcomputer running a certain operating system. In particular, softwareexecuted on these virtual machines can be separated from the underlyinghardware resources. As a result, virtual machines running on the samehost computer can each simulate separate computers running separateoperating systems. For example, a computer can host a virtual machinethat simulates a computer running a Linux operating system, based onwhich Linux-based software can be executed, and can also host adifferent virtual machine that simulates a computer running a Windows™operating system, based on which Windows™-based software can beexecuted.

Users of physical client devices can access a virtualization environmentto view and interact with virtual desktops hosted on virtual machines.Application virtualization can be used with desktop virtualization toprovide users with a comprehensive virtual desktop environment in whichall of the components of a desktop are virtualized. For example, a userof a client device could request a virtual desktop of a virtual machinerunning a Microsoft Windows™ 7 operating system, which could emulate adesktop of a Microsoft Windows™ 7 operating system operating on aphysical computing device. The user could select to open a virtualMicrosoft™ Word application from the hosted virtual desktop, and avirtual Microsoft™ Word application could open that emulates aMicrosoft™ Word application that would open on a physical computingdevice running a Microsoft Windows™ 7 operating system.

There are many advantages to providing virtual desktop environments. Forexample, applications and operating systems can be stored at a centrallocation, and provided on demand to users of a variety of differenttypes of devices running a variety of different operating systems from avariety of different locations. Virtual desktop environments can alsoallow network administrators to better control access to sensitiveinformation, because all of the information can be stored at a centrallocation and streamed to users on demand during hosted virtual desktopsessions. Virtual desktop environments can further provide users withbetter systems for backing up information, because all of theinformation can be stored at a central location that has better or moreredundant systems for backing up the information.

A desktop virtualization environment, however, remains an emulation of aphysical environment, and certain features of a physical computingenvironment may not be implemented well in the emulation. For example,physical computing devices often provide for the use of multiplephysical monitors, sometimes referred to as a “multi-monitor” mode. Theuse of multiple physical monitors can allow a user to extend the size ofthe desktop in which the user is working across multiple physicalmonitors, so that the desktop area in which the user can work and runapplications is larger. For example, using two 1024×768 pixel resolutionphysical monitors can allow a user to use a 2048×768 pixel desktop imageacross the two physical monitors. This can allow a user to have oneapplication opened in full screen on one of the physical monitors, whilehaving a different application opened in fill screen on the otherphysical monitor.

There are many advantages to running applications on multiple physicalmonitors. Industries, such as the financial services, architecture,graphic design, manufacturing, engineering, and video editingindustries, rely heavily on the use of applications that displayinformation that is constantly being updated over time. For example, astockbroker may use an application that displays a list of stock pricesor charts that are updated frequently throughout the day. For usersrunning such applications, it may be important to leave the applicationsopen throughout the day so that they can quickly view changes to thedisplayed information.

In desktop virtualization environments, such a multiple physical monitorsetup may not be emulated, unless the client device requesting a hostedvirtual desktop has multiple physical monitors. For example, a hostedvirtual desktop of 2048×768 pixel resolution may be provided to a userof a client device having two 1024×768 pixel resolution physicalmonitors. A user of a client device with a limited number of physicalmonitors, however, may wish to run a large number of applicationssimultaneously on a hosted virtual desktop. Moreover, a user may wish tosimultaneously run a greater number of applications than the number ofphysical monitors at the client device, and may wish to run each ofthese applications in a full screen mode.

But current methods and systems are limited. These current technologiesare not capable of providing a user of a client device using a hostedvirtual desktop with a number of virtual monitors that is greater thanthe number of physical monitors connected to the client device. Also,these current technologies do not allow a user of a client device toeasily create a number of virtual monitors.

SUMMARY

A computerized system for providing virtual monitors comprises agraphics memory including at least two frame buffers, and one or moreprocessors. The one or more processor execute instructions to identify anumber of virtual monitors associated with a virtual desktop, identifycharacteristics for the virtual monitors, and generate at least twovirtual monitors based at least in part on the identifiedcharacteristics. The one or more processor further assign a firstportion of a generated virtual desktop to an active virtual monitor ofthe at least two virtual monitors and assign a second portion of thegenerated virtual desktop to a paused virtual monitor of the at leasttwo virtual monitors. The active and paused virtual monitors each have arespective frame buffer associated therewith. The assigned first andsecond portions correspond to respective displays of the generatedvirtual desktop. An image of at least one of the first and secondportions of the generated virtual desktop is captured, and the capturedimage is provided for presenting on a physical monitor of a clientdevice while the frame buffer associated with the paused virtual monitoris updated less frequently with image data.

Another aspect is directed to a computer-implemented method forproviding virtual monitors. One or more processors are for identifying anumber of virtual monitors associated with virtual desktop, identifyingcharacteristics for the virtual monitors including a size of therespective virtual monitor, and generating at least two virtual monitorsbased at least in part on the identified characteristics. A firstportion of a generated virtual desktop is assigned to an active virtualmonitor of the at least two virtual monitors and second portion of thegenerated virtual desktop is assigned to a paused virtual monitor of theat least two virtual monitors. The active and paused virtual monitorseach have a respective frame buffer associated therewith. The assignedfirst and second portions correspond to respective displays of thegenerated virtual desktop. Each display has the identified size of therespective virtual monitor. The method further includes capturing animage of at least one of the first and second portions of the generatedvirtual desktop, and providing the captured image for presenting on aphysical monitor of a client device while the frame buffer associatedwith the paused virtual monitor is updated less frequently with imagedata.

Yet another aspect is directed to a non-transitory computer-readablemedium storing instructions that are executable by one or moreprocessors to cause the one or more processors to perform a method asdescribed above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings showingexemplary embodiments of the disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary computing environment for implementingembodiments and features consistent with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary computer system for implementingembodiments and features consistent with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B illustrates another exemplary computer system for implementingembodiments and features consistent with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary virtualization environment,consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for providingvirtual monitors, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is an exemplary screen of an exemplary user interface forselecting a number of virtual monitors, consistent with embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 5B is an exemplary screen of an exemplary user interface forselecting characteristics of a virtual monitor, consistent withembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an exemplary virtual desktop being provided overa number of virtual monitors, consistent with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7A illustrates an exemplary computing environment for providingimages of a virtual monitor, consistent with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7B illustrates an exemplary computing environment for providingimages of another virtual monitor, consistent with embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 8A illustrates an exemplary computing environment for displayingimages of a virtual monitor, consistent with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8B illustrates an exemplary computing environment for displayingimages of another virtual monitor, consistent with embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 9A illustrates another exemplary computing environment fordisplaying images of a virtual monitor, consistent with embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 9B illustrates another exemplary computing environment fordisplaying images of another virtual monitor, consistent withembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary coordinate system of a virtual desktopbeing displayed on a physical monitor;

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary table for converting a coordinatesystem of a physical monitor to a coordinate system of a virtualdesktop;

FIG. 12A illustrates an exemplary screen of an exemplary user interfacefor selecting a virtual desktop;

FIG. 12B illustrates an exemplary screen of an exemplary user interfacefor selecting to change a number and/or characteristic of a virtualdesktop; and

FIG. 12C illustrates an exemplary screen of an exemplary user interfacefor selecting to open a second application in a virtual desktop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of thedisclosure, certain examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to computerized systems andmethods for providing virtual monitors. Embodiments of the presentdisclosure include systems and methods that can generate virtualmonitors based on user selections at a client device. For example, auser of a client device having a certain number of physical monitors canrequest a certain number of virtual monitors in which to runapplications in a hosted virtual desktop. By requesting a number ofvirtual monitors the user may, for example, display each application ina respective virtual monitor in full screen. In accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure, a number of virtual monitors inwhich to display the hosted virtual desktop can be determined,characteristics for the virtual monitors can be identified, and thenumber of virtual monitors can be generated based at least in part onthe characteristics. Once the virtual monitors have been created,portions of the hosted virtual desktop can be presented in the virtualmonitors based on the number of virtual monitors.

The computer-implemented methods disclosed herein can be executed, forexample, by one or more processors that receive instructions from one ormore non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums. Similarly,systems consistent with the present disclosure can include at least oneprocessor and memory, and the memory can be a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium.

As used herein, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium refersto any type of physical memory on which information or data readable bya processor can be stored. Examples include random access memory (RAM),read-only memory (ROM), volatile memory, nonvolatile memory, harddrives, compact disc read-only memory (CD ROM), digital versatile disc(DVD) memory, flash drives, magnetic strip storage, semiconductorstorage, optical disc storage, magneto-optical disc storage, and/or anyother known physical storage medium. Singular terms, such as “memory”and “computer-readable storage medium,” can additionally refer tomultiple structures, such as a plurality of memories and/orcomputer-readable storage mediums.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to computerized systems andmethods for providing virtual monitors. In addition, embodiments of thepresent disclosure relate to solutions for generating virtual monitorsbased on identified characteristics for the virtual monitors, and forproviding at least a portion of the hosted virtual desktop for displayin one of the generated virtual monitors based on the number of virtualmonitors.

In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided acomputerized system for providing virtual monitors. The system comprisesa memory device storing instructions, and one or more processors thatexecute the instructions. The one or more processors execute theinstructions to identify a number of virtual monitors in which todisplay a virtual desktop, and identify characteristics for one of thevirtual monitors. The one or more processors also execute theinstructions to generate a virtual monitor based at least in part on theidentified characteristics, and assign a portion of the virtual desktopto the virtual monitor, the portion being determined based at least inpart on the identified number. The one or more processors furtherexecute the instructions to capture an image of the portion of thevirtual desktop from the virtual monitor, and provide the captured imagefor presenting on a physical monitor of a client device.

Furthermore, in accordance with the present disclosure, there isprovided a computer-implemented method for providing virtual monitors.The method comprises operations performed by one or more processors. Theoperations include identifying a number of virtual monitors in which toprovide a virtual desktop, and identifying characteristics for one ofthe virtual monitors. The operations also include generating a virtualmonitor based at least in part on the identified characteristics, andassigning a portion of the virtual desktop to the virtual monitor, theportion being determined based at least in part on the identifiednumber. The operations further include capturing an image of the portionof the virtual desktop from the virtual monitor, and providing thecaptured image for presenting on a physical monitor of a client device.

Additionally, in accordance with the present disclosure, there isprovided a non-transitory computer-readable medium that storesinstructions. The instructions, when executed by one or more processors,cause the one or more processors to perform a method. The methodcomprises identifying a number of virtual monitors in which to display avirtual desktop, and identifying characteristics for one of the virtualmonitors. The method also comprises generating a virtual monitor basedat least in part on the identified characteristics, and assigning aportion of the virtual desktop to the virtual monitor, the portion beingdetermined based at least in part on the identified number. The methodfurther comprises capturing an image of the portion of the virtualdesktop from the virtual monitor, and providing the captured image forpresenting on a physical monitor of a client device.

Before explaining example embodiments consistent with the presentdisclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is notlimited in its application to the details of constructions and to thearrangements set forth in the following description or illustrated inthe drawings. The disclosure is capable of embodiments in addition tothose described and is capable of being practiced and carried out invarious ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein, as well as in the abstract, are for thepurposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated and constitute part ofthe specification, illustrate certain embodiments of the disclosure, andtogether with the description, serve to explain the principles of thedisclosure.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptionupon which the disclosure is based can readily be utilized as a basisfor designing other structures, methods, and/or systems for carrying outthe several purposes of the present disclosure. It is important,therefore, to recognize that the claims should be regarded as includingsuch equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from thespirit and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing environment 100 forimplementing embodiments and features of the present disclosure. Thearrangement and number of components in environment 100 is provided forpurposes of illustration. Additional arrangements, number of components,and other modifications can be made, consistent with the presentdisclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1, computing environment 100 can include anycombination of one or more client devices 102A-F, public network(s) 104,private network(s) 110, and data center(s) 120. While client devices102A-F are depicted as a computer (e.g., client devices 102A, 102E, and102F), a laptop (e.g., client device 102B), a tablet (e.g., clientdevice 102C), and a mobile smart phone (e.g., client device 102D), thedisclosure is not so limited. One or more of client devices 102A-F couldbe, for example, a mobile phone, smart phone, tablet, netbook,electronic reader, personal digital assistant (PDA), personal computer,laptop computer, smart watch, gaming device, desktop computer, set-topbox, television, personal organizer, portable electronic device, smartappliance, navigation device, and/or other types of computing devices.In some embodiments, a client device 102A-F can be implemented withhardware devices and/or software applications running thereon. A usercan use a client device 102A-F to communicate with one or more otherclient devices 102A-F and/or data center(s) 120 over public network(s)104 and/or private network(s) 110. A client device 102A-F cancommunicate by transmitting data to and/or receiving data from otherclient device(s) 102A-F and/or data center(s) 120 over public network(s)104 and/or private network(s) 110. Although FIG. 1 illustrates sixclient devices, the disclosure is not so limited. Computing environment100 can include any number of client devices, and/or any combination oftypes of client devices.

Computing environment 100 can also include one or more public networks104 and/or private networks 110. Public network(s) 104 and/or privatenetwork(s) 110 can connect and provide for the exchange of informationamong client device(s) 102A-F, among data center(s) 120, and/or betweenclient device(s) 102A-F and data center(s) 120. Public network(s) 104and/or private network(s) 110 can include one or more types of networksinterconnecting client device(s) 102A-F and/or data center(s) 120. Forexample, one client device 102A-F can communicate with a data center 120using a different type of network than a second client device 102A-F.

Public network(s) 104 and/or private network(s) 110 can be implementedusing one or more networks, which can include one or more wide areanetworks (WANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), local area networks(LANs), or personal area networks (PANs), or any combination of thesenetworks. Public network(s) 104 and/or private network(s) 110 caninclude any one or more types of networks, including Internet, intranet,Ethernet, twisted-pair, coaxial cable, fiber optic, cellular, satellite,IEEE 802.11, terrestrial, and/or other types of wired or wirelessnetworks.

Computing environment 100 can further include one or more data centers120. A data center 120 can be a central repository, either physical orvirtual, for the storage, management, and/or dissemination of dataand/or information pertaining to a particular public and/or privateentity. A data center 120 can include one or more physical servers,virtual servers, storage systems, web servers, databases, mainframecomputers, general-purpose computers, personal computers, or other typesof computing devices. A data center can include, among other things, oneor more servers (e.g., server(s) 122), desktop delivery controller(s)124, virtual desktop(s) 126, application(s) 128, and backend system(s)130. In some embodiments, a data center can be configured to storeinformation, retrieve information, receive information, and/or provideinformation. A data center 120 can be a standalone computer system orapparatus, or can include and/or be part of a larger system. Forexample, a data center 120 can represent one or more computingcomponents, such as server(s) 122, that can communicate with one anotherover a communications network, or over a dedicated network, such as aLAN. A data center 120 can include one or more backend systems 130 forcarrying out one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

A data center 120 can be implemented as a system comprising a pluralityof servers, or a server farm comprising a load balancing system and aplurality of servers. In some embodiments, a data center 120 can includeone or more servers 122 with hardware devices and/or softwareapplications running thereon. Data center(s) 120 can communicate withclient device(s) 102A-F over public network(s) 104 and/or privatenetwork(s) 110. One or more of client devices 102A-F can acquire remoteservices from data center(s) 120 through various means. For example,client devices 102A-F can communicate with data center 120 eitherdirectly (e.g., client device 102E) or indirectly through publicnetwork(s) 104 (e.g., client devices 102A-D) and/or private network(s)110 (e.g., client device 102F).

A server 122 can be an entity represented by an Internet Protocol (IP)address, and can exist as a single entity or as a, member of a serverfarm. A server 122 can be a physical server or a virtual server. In someembodiments, a server 122 can include one or more hardware layers,operating systems, and/or hypervisors creating and/or managing one ormore virtual machines. A server 122 can provide one or more services toan endpoint, such as a client 102A-F. These services can includeproviding one or more virtual desktops operating on one or morevirtualized platforms and/or one or more applications 128 to one or moreendpoints (e.g., client devices 102A-F). For example, application(s) 128can include physical and/or virtualized application(s) and/orresource(s) based on any type of platform, such as a Windows™-based orSAP™-based system. Server(s) 122 can communicate with other devices(e.g., client devices 102A-F) through various types of networks (e.g,private network(s) 110 and/or public network(s) 104).

Desktop delivery controller(s) 124 can enable delivery of services, suchas virtual desktops 126 to client devices (e.g., client devices 102A-F).Desktop delivery controller(s) 124 can be implemented in software and/orhardware within a computer system, such as computer system 200 of FIG.2. Desktop delivery controller(s) 124 can provide functionality tomanage, maintain, and/or optimize virtual desktop communications.

In some embodiments, desktop delivery controller(s) 124 can control,manage, maintain, and/or optimize the provisioning of one or moreapplications 128. In some embodiments, one or more virtual desktops 126can provide one or more application(s) 128. A virtual desktop 126 caninclude a shared desktop allowing users to access a single sharedremote-desktop-services desktop, a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)desktop allowing a user to have his/her own virtual machine, a streamingdisk image, a local virtual machine, individual applications (e.g., oneor more of applications 128), or a combination thereof.

Backend system(s) 130 can include a single or multiple instances ofcomputer networking hardware, appliances, and/or servers in a serverfarm or a group of servers. Backend system(s) 130 can interface directlyor indirectly with server(s) 122. For example, backend system(s) 130 canprovide Microsoft Active Directory services, which can provide a numberof network services, including one or more of lightweight directoryaccess protocol (LDAP) directory services, Kerberos-based authenticationservices, domain name system (DNS) based naming and other networkinformation services, and/or synchronization of directory updatesamongst server(s) 122. Backend system(s) 130 can also include, amongother things, one or more Oracle-based backend server(s), structuredquery language (SQL) server backends, and/or dynamic host configurationprotocol (DIICP) server backends. Backend system(s) 130 can providedata, services, or a combination of both to data center(s) 120, whichcan then provide that information via one or more forms to clientdevice(s) 102A-F and/or branch office(s) (not shown).

FIGS. 2A-2B are block diagrams illustrating an exemplary computer system200 that can be used for implementing embodiments consistent with thepresent disclosure, including the exemplary systems and methodsdescribed herein. A computer system 200 can be used to implementserver(s) 122, backend system(s) 130, desktop delivery controller(s)124, and/or client device(s) 102A-F. The arrangement and number ofcomponents in computer system 200 is provided for purposes ofillustration. Additional arrangements, number of components, or othermodifications can be made, consistent with the present disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, a computer system 200 can include one or morecentral processing units (CPUs) 221 for executing instructions. CPUssuitable for the execution of instructions include, by way of example,both general and special purpose CPUs, and any one or more processors ofany kind of digital computer. CPU(s) 221 can include any logic circuitrythat responds to and processes instructions received from one or morememories 222 and/or storage devices 228. CPU(s) 221 can include a singleor multiple microprocessors, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), ordigital signal processors (DSPs) capable of executing particular sets ofinstructions stored in one or more memories 222, storage devices 228,and/or caches (e.g., cache(s) 240).

A computer system 200 can include one or more memories 222, storagedevices 228, and/or caches 240, configured to store data and/or softwareinstructions used by CPU(s) 221 to perform operations consistent withdisclosed embodiments. For example, computer system 200 can include oneor more memories 222 and/or storage devices 228 configured to store oneor more software programs that, when executed by CPU(s) 221, causeCPU(s) 221 to perform functions and/or operations consistent withdisclosed embodiments. By way of example, a memory 222 and/or storagedevice 228 can include one or more tangible non-transitorycomputer-readable mediums, such as NOR or NAND flash memory devices,flexible disks, hard disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random accessmemories (RAMs), compact disk read-only memories (CD ROMs),magneto-optical (MO) drives, digital versatile disk read-only memories(DVD-ROMs), digital versatile disk random-access memories (DVD-RAMs),semiconductor memories, tape drives, redundant array of independentdisks (RAID arrays), etc. A memory 222 and/or storage device 228 caninclude one or more memory chips capable of storing data and/or allowingstorage locations to be directly accessed by CPU(s) 221. In someembodiments, CPU(s) can communicate with one or more memories 222 and/orstorage devices 228 via a system bus 250. A computer system 200 caninclude any number of memories 222 and/or storage devices 228. Memories222 and/or storage devices 228 can be located remotely and computersystem 200 can be able to access other memories 222 and/or storagedevices 228 via a network, such as private network(s) 110 and/or publicnetwork(s) 104. One or more memories 222 and/or storage devices 228 canbe configured to store data, and can store data received from one ormore server(s) 122, backend system(s) 130, and/or client device(s)102A-F. One or more memories 222 and/or storage devices 228 can alsostore one or more operating systems, application software programs,and/or other software.

A computer system 200 can also include one or more graphics processingunits (GPUs) 225. A CPU 225 can be any type of specialized circuitrythat can manipulate and alter memory (e.g., a graphic memory 226) toprovide and/or accelerate the creation of images stored in a framebuffer (e.g., frame buffer 316 shown in FIG. 2B) for output to one ormore physical monitors (e.g., physical monitor(s) 224). GPUs can have ahighly parallel structure making them more effective thangeneral-purpose CPUs 221 for algorithms where processing of large blocksof graphical data can be performed in parallel. Furthermore, thefunctionality of one or more GPUs 225 can also be included in a chipsetin some other type of special purpose processing unit or co-processor.

CPU(s) 221 can connect to system interface(s) 250, and can connect withone or more memories 222 and/or storage devices 228 over systeminterface(s) 250. CPU(s) 221 can also communicate with one or morememories 222 and/or storage devices 228 over a serial communication busand/or using point-to-point communication. Similarly, GPU(s) 225 cancommunicate with one or more graphic memories 226, memories 222, and/orstorage devices 228 using system interface(s) 250 and/or using othertypes of busses. CPU(s) 221 can execute programming instructions storedin one or more memories 222, operate on data stored in one or morememories 222, and/or communicate with GPU(s) 225 through systeminterface(s) 250, which bridge communication between CPU(s) 221 andGPU(s) 225. In some embodiments, CPU(s) 221, GPU(s) 225, systeminterface(s) 250, or any combination thereof, can be integrated into asingle processing unit, GPU(s) 225 can be capable of executingparticular sets of instructions stored in one or more memories 222 tomanipulate graphical data stored in one or more memories 222 and/or oneor more graphic memories 226. For example, CPU(s) 225 can receiveinstructions transmitted by CPU(s) 221 and process the instructions inorder to render graphics data stored in one or more graphic memories226. A graphic memory 226 can be any memory accessible by GPU(s) 225,including a local memory, a system memory, an on-chip memory, a harddisk, and/or any other type of memory 222 or storage device 228. GPU(s)225 can enable displaying of graphical data stored in one or moregraphic memories 226 on physical monitor(s) 224.

A computer system 200 can also include one or more physical monitors 224for displaying data and information. Physical monitor(s) 224 can beimplemented using one or more display panels, which can include, forexample, one or more cathode ray tube (CRT) displays, liquid crystaldisplays (LCDs), plasma displays, light emitting diode (LED) displays,touch screen type displays, projector displays (e.g., images projectedon a screen or surface, holographic images, etc.), organic lightemitting diode (OLED) displays, field emission displays (FEDs), activematrix displays, vacuum fluorescent (VFR) displays, 3-dimensional (3-D)displays, electronic paper (e-ink) displays, microdisplays, or anycombination of the above types of displays.

A computer system 200 can further include one or more input/output (I/O)devices 230 connected through an I/O controller 223, both of which cancommunicate via system interface(s) 250. An I/O device 230 can include,for example, one or more keys, buttons, keyboards, mice, joysticks,styluses, gesture sensors (e.g., video cameras), and/or voice sensors(e.g., microphones). Keys, keyboards, and/or buttons can be physicaland/or virtual (e.g., provided on a touch screen interface). I/Odevice(s) 230 can also include a storage device and/or an installationmedium for one or more of client devices 102A-F.

A computer system 200 can support one or more installation devices 216,such as floppy disk drives for receiving floppy disks (e.g., 3.5-inch,5.25-inch, or Zip Disks), CD-ROM drives, CD-R/RW (readable/rewritablecompact disc) drives, DVD-ROM drives, tape drives, universal serial bus(USB) devices, hard-drives, and/or any other device suitable forinstalling software and programs, such as a client agent 220, or portionthereof. Installation device(s) 216 could also be used as storagedevice(s) 228.

A computer system 200 can further include one or more network interfaces218 for interfacing to a network, such as a PAN, LAN, MAN, WAN, and/orthe Internet through a variety of connections, including, but notlimited to, standard telephone lines, LAN or WAN links (e.g., 802.11,T1, T3, 56 kb, X.25), broadband connections (e.g., integrated servicesdigital network (ISDN), Frame Relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)),wireless connections, or some combination of any or all of the above.Network interface(s) 218 can comprise a built-in network adapter,network interface card, personal computer memory card internationalassociation (PCMCIA) network card, card bus network adapter, wirelessnetwork adapter, USB network adapter, modem, and/or any other devicesuitable for interfacing computer system 200 to any type of network.

As illustrated in FIG. 2B, CPU(s) 221 of a computer system 200 cancommunicate directly with one or more memories 222 via one or morememory ports 203, and similarly GPU(s) 225 can communicate directly withone or more graphic memories 226. CPU(s) 221 can also communicate withcache(s) 240 via one or more secondary busses, sometimes referred to asbackside busses. In some embodiments, CPU(s) 221 can communicate withcache(s) 240 via system interface(s) 250. A cache 240 can have a fasterresponse time than a memory 222. In some embodiments, such as in theembodiments illustrated in FIG. 2B, CPU(s) 221 can communicate directlywith I/O device(s) 230 via one or more I/O ports. In furtherembodiments, I/O device(s) 230 can include one or more bridges 270between system interface(s) 250 and one or more external communicationbusses, such as USB busses, Apple Desktop Busses, RS-232 serialconnections, small computer system interface (SCSI) busses, FireWirebusses, Ethernet busses, ATM busses, high performance parallel interface(HIPPI) busses, Super HIPPI busses, SerialPlus busses, SCI/LAMP busses,FibreChannel busses, and/or Serial Attached small computer systeminterface busses.

As shown in FIG. 2B, CPU(s) 225 can also communicate directly with oneor more graphic memories 226, memories 222, storage devices 228, and/ormonitor(s) 224. GPU(s) 225 can communicate with CPU(s) 221 and/or otherdevices through system interface(s) 250. One or more graphic memories226 can also include one or more frame buffers 316. A frame buffer 316can be a graphic output device that drives one or more physical monitors(e.g., physical monitor(s) 224) from one or more memory buffers of oneor more graphic memories 226 containing a complete frame of graphicaldata. Frame buffer(s) 316 can store one or more final graphical frames,which are to be displayed on physical monitor(s) 224.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary virtualizationenvironment 300. In some embodiments, virtualization environment 300 canbe implemented on a computer system 200 (e.g., server 122 and/or clientdevice 102A-F). A computer system 200 that implements a virtualizationenvironment 300 can be referred to as a host computer system. In someembodiments, the modules, programs, virtual machines, and/or commandsstored and/or executed by virtualization environment 300 can be executedby more than one computer system 200. For example, virtualizationenvironment 300 can be implemented by a data center 120, such as a datacenter 120 including a server farm.

Virtualization environment 300 can include a hardware layer 310 that caninclude one or more physical disks 304, one or more physical devices306, one or more physical processors 308, one or more memories 312, andone or more graphical memories 314. In some embodiments, one or moreframe buffers 316 can be stored within one or more memory elements inone or more graphic memories 314, and can be accessed by one or morephysical processors 308.

A physical disk 304 can be either an internal or an external physicalhard disk, such as a disk of one of the memories 222 and/or storagedevices 228 described with reference to FIGS. 2A-2B. Physical and/orvirtual elements in a virtualization environment 300 can communicatewith physical disk(s) 304 to store and/or retrieve data. Physicaldevice(s) 306 can include one or more virtual devices included invirtualization environment 300 and/or external physical devices that cancommunicate with virtualization environment 300. A physical device canbe any device, such as a network interface card, a video card, akeyboard, a pointing device, an input device, a physical monitor, aspeaker, an optical drive, a storage device, a USB connection, aprinter, a scanner, any device connected to virtualization environment300, or any device communicating with virtualization environment 300. Apointing device can be, for example, a mouse, stylus, trackball,joystick, pointing stick, human finger, any input device disclosed withreference to computing system 200, or any other input interface that canallow a user to input spatial data to a computing device. In someembodiments, physical processor(s) 308 can include one or more CPUs 221and/or GPUs 225.

Virtualization environment 300 can include one or more memories 312. Amemory 312 can include any type of memory that can store data, programs,firmware, and/or executable instructions. In some embodiments, a memory312 can include one or more memories 222. Programs, firmware, and/orexecutable instructions stored in one or more memories 312 can beexecuted by one or more physical processors 308 of virtualizationenvironment 300. One or more graphic memories 314 can include any memoryaccessible by physical processor(s) 308, including local memory, systemmemory, on-chip memory, and hard disks. In some embodiments, a graphicmemory 314 can include one or more graphic memories 226. Physicalprocessor(s) 308 can cause certain graphics corresponding to graphicaldata stored in one or more graphic memories 314 to be displayed on aphysical monitor (e.g., one of physical device(s) 306, which cancorrespond to a physical monitor 224).

Virtualization environment 300 can further include an operating system318 that can be stored in one or more memories 312 and executed by oneor more physical processors 308. Operating system 318 can also bereferred to as a kernel. Moreover, virtualization environment 300 caninclude a hypervisor 302. Hypervisor 302 can be a program executed byphysical processor(s) 308 in virtualization environment 300 to manageany number of virtual machines. In some embodiments, hypervisor 302 canbe any combination of executable instructions and/or hardware thatmonitors virtual machines executing on a computer system 200, such as aserver 122. Hypervisor 302 can be stored in one or more memories 312.

Hypervisor 302 can allocate physical resources from a hardware layer 310and/or virtual resources to one or more virtual machines, e.g., virtualmachines 332A-C. A virtual machine can be a software-based emulation ofa physical machine, such as a computer system 200. A virtual machine332A-C can further include a software-based emulation of the executionof software programs on such a physical machine. For example, a virtualmachine can emulate the execution of an operating system and/orapplication on a particularly configured physical machine. Accordingly,a virtual machine can have a virtual operating system (OS) (e.g., OS330A for virtual machine 332A, OS 330B for virtual machine 332B, and OS330C for virtual machine 332C). A virtual machine 332A-C can have accessto the host computer system's hardware resources through hypervisor 302,which either runs directly on the host computer's hardware (i.e., a baremetal hypervisor) or runs within the host computer's operating system(i.e., a hosted hypervisor).

In some embodiments, hypervisor 302 can provide physical and/or virtualresources to operating systems 330A-C in any manner such that hypervisor302 simulates any desirable operating system (e.g., Windows, Linux,Unix) to execute on virtual machines 332A-C. The system resources caninclude, for example, resources from hardware layer 310 and/or any othercomponent included in virtualization environment 300. In theseembodiments, hypervisor 302 can be used to partition physical hardware,emulate physical hardware, and/or execute virtual machines that provideusers accessing virtualization environment 300 with various computingenvironments. In some embodiments, hypervisor 302 can control processorscheduling and memory partitioning for virtual machine(s) 332A-Cexecuting in virtualization environment 300.

In some embodiments, hypervisor 302 can create virtual machines 332A-C,in which virtual operating systems 330A-C execute. As an example,hypervisor 302 can load a virtual machine image to create a virtualmachine 332A-C. As another example, hypervisor 302 can execute virtualoperating systems 330A-C within virtual machines 332A-C, respectively.Operating systems 330A-C are further described in detail below.

In some embodiments, hypervisor 302 of virtualization environment 300can be a bare metal hypervisor, or a hypervisor that has direct accessto applications and processes executing in the host computing system,resources on the host computing system, and hardware on the hostcomputing system (e.g., hardware layer 310 shown in FIG. 3) orcommunicating with the host computing system. In some embodiments, abare metal hypervisor can directly access all system resources. Forexample, if hypervisor 302 is a bare metal hypervisor, it can executedirectly on one or more physical processors 308, and can retrieve datastored in one or more memories 312 and/or one or more graphic memories314. By contrast, a host hypervisor accesses system resources through ahost operating system (e.g., operating system 318).

In a virtualization environment that employs a bare metal hypervisorconfiguration, the host operating system (e.g., operating system 318)can be executed by one or more virtual machines 332. Thus, a useraccessing virtualization environment 300 can designate one or morevirtual machines 332 as a virtual machine for imitating the hostoperating system and allowing the user to interact with the virtualmachine in substantially the same manner that the user would interactwith the host computing system via host operating system 318.

Virtualization environment 300 can host or execute one or more virtualmachines 332A-C. In some embodiments, a virtual machine 332A-C can becreated for each user accessing virtualization environment 300, for eachuser requesting a virtual machine 332A-C, and/or for each userrequesting a virtual desktop 340A-C. A virtual machine 332A-C can be aset of executable instructions that, when executed by physicalprocessor(s) 308, imitate the operation of a physical computing devicesuch that programs and processes can be executed on a virtual machine332A-C in a manner similar to that on a physical computing device. It isappreciated that virtualization environment 300 can host any number ofvirtual machines 332A-C. In some embodiments, one or more virtualmachines 332A-C can be provided, such as by hypervisor 302, with aunique virtual view of the physical hardware, memory, processor, andother system resources available to that virtual machine 332A-C (e.g.,virtual disk 326A-C and/or virtual processor 328A-C). The unique virtualview can be based on, for example, virtual machine permissions,application of a policy engine to one or more virtual machineidentifiers, the user accessing a virtual machine, the applicationsexecuting on a virtual machine, networks accessed by a virtual machine,or any other desired criteria. In some embodiments, a virtual machine332A-C can be provided with a virtual view of resources that aresubstantially similar to the physical hardware, memory, processor,and/or other system resources available to the virtual machine 332A-C.

As shown in FIG. 3, virtual machines 332A-C can include one or morevirtual disks 326A-C. Virtual disks 326A-C can correspond to, forexample, one or more physical disks or one or more portions of aphysical disk (e.g., physical disk(s) 304). As an example, virtual disk326A can be allocated a first portion of physical disk(s) 304, virtualdisk 326B can be allocated a second portion of physical disk(s) 304, andvirtual disk 326C can be allocated a third portion of physical disk(s)304. In some embodiments, one or more of virtual disks 326A-C caninclude one or more virtual disk partitions and/or file system(s),similar to those of a physical disk. For example, virtual disk 326A caninclude a virtual system disk, which includes virtual disk partitionsand system files associated with virtual machine 332A. In someembodiments, the virtual system disk can be shared among virtualmachines. For example, virtual machines 332B and 332C can have the sameor similar system disk as virtual machine 332A.

The virtual file systems of virtual disks 326A-C can also includevirtual files and/or folders. For example, virtual disk 326A can alsoinclude a virtual user disk, which can store user data such as userfiles and/or folders. In some embodiments, system and/or user datastored on a virtual system and/or user disk can be synchronized withdisks stored in a server (e.g., server 122). The synchronization of avirtual system and/or a user disk between a virtual disk 326 and aserver 122 can performed, for example, to save data from the virtualsystem and/or user disk. In some embodiments, a virtual disk can alsoinclude a local disk. The local disk can store data associated with avirtual machine (e.g., virtual machine 332A-C) in persistent storage,such as in one or more physical disks 304 and/or memories 312.

In some embodiments, virtualization environment 300 can also includevirtual apertures (not shown) in a virtual memory space, which can be aview of the virtual memory available to virtual machines 332A-C. Thevirtual apertures can correspond to, for example, physical caches,buffers, and/or memories, such as one or more memories 312, graphicmemories 314, and/or internal or external physical disks such as harddisk(s) 304. As an example, under the circumstances that applicationsrunning on a virtual machine 332A-C do not require more memory than thatwhich is available in one or more memories 312, the virtual apertures ofa virtual machine 332A-C can correspond to a portion of one or morememories 312. As another example, under the circumstances thatapplications executed by a virtual machine 332A-C require more memorythan that which is available in one or more memories 312, the virtualapertures of a virtual machine 332A-C can correspond to one or moreportions of one or more memories 312, graphic memories 314, and/orphysical disks 304. The virtual apertures can be generated, provided,and/or managed by hypervisor 302.

Virtual processors 328A-C can be virtualized views of one or morephysical processors 308 of virtualization environment 300. In someembodiments, a virtualized view of physical processor(s) 308 can begenerated, provided, and/or managed by hypervisor 302. In someembodiments, virtual processor(s) 328A-C can have substantially the samecharacteristics as those of physical processor(s) 308. In someembodiments, virtual processor(s) 328A-C can provide a modified view ofphysical processor(s) 308, such that at least some of thecharacteristics of virtual processor(s) 328A-C are different from thecharacteristics of corresponding physical processor(s) 308.

As shown in FIG. 3, a virtual operating system 330A-C can provide a userof a virtual machine 332A-C with a virtual desktop 340A-C correspondingto the virtual operating system 330A-C being executed on the virtualmachine. For example, if a virtual machine 332A executes a virtualoperating system 330A that is a virtualization of a Windows™ 7 operatingsystem, virtual desktop 340A can be a virtualization of a desktopenvironment that is displayed to a user using a Windows™ 7 operatingsystem. A user of a client device 102A-F can interact with a virtualdesktop of virtualization environment 300 to interact with virtualprograms, applications, files, and/or other computing resources, similarto the way a user would interact with these resources on a physicalcomputing device.

A client device 102A-F can communicate with server(s) 122 of datacenter(s) 120 using a remote display protocol to access a virtualizationenvironment 300. For example, a client application installed on a clientdevice 102A-F can allow the client device to communicate with avirtualization environment 300 through a communications protocol, suchas independent computing architecture (ICA) protocol. This can allow auser to access resources within a virtualization environment 300. Suchresources can include programs, applications, files, executableinstruction codes, desktop environments 340A-C, computing environments,and/or other resources made available to users of virtualizationenvironment 300.

In some embodiments, virtualization environment 300 can be implementedon one or more servers 122. A client device 102A-F accessingvirtualization environment 300 can send input/output informationcorresponding to a user's interactions with a virtual desktop, and theclient device can receive display information from virtualizationenvironment 300 corresponding to the interactions. In some embodiments,all applications and data implemented by the virtual machine remain in adata center 120, with only display, keyboard, and mouse informationbeing communicated between a client device 102A-F and data center(s)120. For example, a user can select to open a Microsoft™ Wordapplication from a virtual desktop, and keyboard and/or mouse commandscan be transmitted from a client device 102A-F of the user to datacenter(s) 120. Data center(s) 120 can open a virtualized version ofMicrosoft™ Word in a virtualized desktop 332A in a virtualizationenvironment 300, and can send an image frame of the virtual desktop withMicrosoft™ Word opened to the client device for display. In this way,information regarding client interactions is transmitted from a clientdevice 102A-F to a virtualization environment, software is executed invirtualization environment to implement changes to a virtual desktop,and updated image frames are transmitted to the client device to displaythe changes to the virtual desktop. Alternatively, the clientapplication can be configured to execute a portion of the virtualizationenvironment 300 on the client device, so that some of the softwareassociated with the virtualization environment 300 is executed at theclient device, and other software associated with the virtualizationenvironment 300 is executed at one or more data centers. In someembodiments, virtualization environment 300 is implemented on a clientdevice 102A-F, and a virtual desktop can be displayed to a user of theclient device without having to communicate with another device over anetwork.

A virtualization environment 300 can support a number of client devices102A-F. In some embodiments, each user requesting access tovirtualization environment 300 can be provided their own virtual machine330A-C. For example, a first user of a client device 102A can request avirtualized Windows™ 7 computing environment, and can be provided withvirtual machine 332A implementing a virtual Windows™ 7 operating system.A second user of a client device 1021B can request a virtualized Linuxcomputing environment, and can be provided with a virtual machine 332Bimplementing a virtual Linux operating system at the same time asvirtual machine 332A is being provided to the first user. And althoughthree virtual machines 332A-C are illustrated in exemplaryvirtualization environment 300 of FIG. 3, the disclosure is not solimited. Virtualization environment 300 can provide any number ofvirtual machines to any number of client devices 102A-F. In someembodiments, each client device 102A-F requesting access tovirtualization environment 300 can be provided with its own virtualmachine 332A. In some other embodiments, a plurality of client devices102A-F can share a virtual machine. One or more computer systems 200implementing a virtualization environment 300 can dynamically allocatevirtual machines as requested by client devices. That is, when a userhas stopped using a virtual machine, computing system(s) 200 can closethe virtual machine and reallocate the computing resources beingutilized for that virtual machine, so that the resources can be used forother purposes (e.g., for other virtual machines).

Virtualization environment 300 can also determine characteristics of oneor more physical monitors 224 connected to a client device 102A-Faccessing virtualization environment 300, and can generate one or morevirtual monitors 350A-C that virtualize the display of a desktop 340A-Con a physical monitor having those characteristics. The characteristicscan include, for example, an aspect ratio, resolution, size, dimension,type, refresh rate, number of pixels, supported video format, orcontrast of a physical monitor 224 connected to a client device 102A-F.For example, virtualization environment 300 can identify a client device102C accessing virtualization environment 300 as having a touchsensitive tablet display of a certain resolution, such as 1024×768pixels. Virtualization environment 300 can provide client device 102Cwith virtual desktop 340A of a virtual machine 332A running a virtualoperating system 330A, and create one or more virtual monitors 350Acorresponding to the characteristics of the monitor 224 of client device102C. Images of virtual desktop 340A can then be provided to clientdevice 102C using virtual monitors 350A, so that the images are capturedwith characteristics that correspond to the characteristics of aphysical monitor 224 connected to client device 102C. For example, avirtual monitor 350A can be created with a 1024×768 pixel resolution, sothat images of virtual desktop 340B are captured and provided to clientdevice 102C with the same resolution as a physical monitor 224 connectedto client device 102C. Accordingly, virtualization environment 300 canprovide a plurality of different virtual desktops 340A-C in a pluralityof different virtual monitors 350A-C to a plurality of different clientdevices 102A-F having different types of physical monitors 224. In someembodiments, virtual monitor(s) 350A-C may not necessarily correspond tophysical monitors. For example, a user of a client device 102A-Faccessing virtualization environment 300 can select any desired monitorcharacteristics for the one or more virtual monitors provided for theuser's virtual machine. Alternatively, virtualization environment 300can be pre-configured to create virtual monitors 350A-C having certaincharacteristics.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method 400, consistentwith embodiments of the present disclosure. Exemplary method 400 can beimplemented in a computing environment (see, e.g., FIG. 1) using one ormore computing systems (see, e.g., FIGS. 2A-B). In some embodiments,method 400 can be performed by one or more servers (e.g., one or moreservers 122) implementing a virtualization environment (e.g.,virtualization environment 300). In some other embodiments, method 400can be performed by a client device (e.g., client device 102A-F)implementing a virtualization environment (e.g., virtualizationenvironment 300). It will be readily appreciated that the illustratedprocedure can be altered to modify steps, delete steps, and/or includeadditional steps.

As further discussed below, method 400 can be initiated in a number ofdifferent scenarios. In some embodiments, method 400 can begin after auser has selected to connect to a virtual desktop. In some otherembodiments, method 400 can begin when a user interacting with a virtualdesktop requests to change the number of virtual monitors being used. Insome further embodiments, method 400 can begin when a user interactingwith a virtual desktop requests to change a characteristic of one ormore of the virtual monitors being used. In still some furtherembodiments, method 400 can begin when a user interacting with a firstapplication in a virtual desktop selects to open a second application.It will be readily appreciated that method 400 can begin based on otheruser interactions and/or settings within a virtualization environment.

In step 410, a number of virtual monitors in which to display a virtualdesktop can be identified. In some embodiments, the number of virtualmonitors can be identified based on a user selection. For example, auser interface screen, such as exemplary user interface screen 505illustrated in FIG. 5A, can be presented on the client device promptinga user to select a number of virtual monitors in which the user wishes avirtual desktop to be presented. The user interface screen can includeone or more graphical elements that allow the user to specify a numberof virtual monitors in which to present the desktop. It will beappreciated that screen 505 of FIG. 5A is presented only for purposes ofillustration, and that the number of virtual monitors could be selectedusing any graphical element known in the art.

After being selected, the number of virtual monitors can be communicatedto computer system(s) 200 implementing a virtualization environment 300.In some embodiments, the number of virtual monitors in which to displaya virtual desktop can be preconfigured within the virtualizationenvironment. For example, the number of virtual monitors to use for aparticular virtual desktop can be preconfigured by a networkadministrator, or can be preconfigured as a preference of a particularuser. In some embodiments where a user is already interacting with avirtual desktop, a number of virtual monitors in which the virtualdesktop is displayed can be changed based on some event. For example, anumber of virtual monitors in which the virtual desktop is displayed canbe increased if a user selects to open a new application, as discussedin greater detail below. After the number of virtual monitors in whichto present the virtual desktop has been identified, method 400 canproceed to step 420.

In step 420, a characteristic for one or more of the virtual monitorscan be identified. A characteristic can correspond to a characteristicof a physical monitor, and include, for example, an aspect ratio,resolution, size, dimension, type, refresh rate, number of pixels, videoformat, contrast, brightness, manufacturer, model, serial number,phosphor or filter type, timing, luminance, or any other characteristicof a physical display device. Any combination of one or morecharacteristics can be identified.

In some embodiments, the characteristic can be a characteristic of aphysical monitor connected to the client device. For example, a clientcan be aware of and/or receive information regarding characteristics ofa connected physical monitor, such as extended display identificationdata (EDID) or DisplayID data. Information regarding one or morecharacteristics of a physical monitor (e.g., physical monitor 224) atthe client device can be sent to computer system(s) providing thevirtualization environment. In some embodiments, the client device canbe connected to multiple physical monitors (e.g., physical monitors224), and information regarding characteristics of each of the multiplephysical monitors can be sent to computer system(s) providing avirtualization environment 300. In some embodiments, the identifiedcharacteristic can be a characteristic of a physical monitor connectedto a physical computer located remotely from the client device. Forexample, if a user selects to connect to a virtual desktop that emulatesa desktop of a physical computer (e.g., the user's work computer), oneor more characteristics of one or more physical monitors connected tothe physical computer can be identified.

In some embodiments, a user of the client device can select one or morecharacteristics for one or more of the virtual monitors through a userinterface. For example, a user interface screen, such as exemplaryscreen 510 of FIG. 5B can be presented, and a user can select one ormore characteristics for a virtual monitor from one or more graphicalelements displayed in screen 510. It will be appreciated that screen 510of FIG. 5B is presented only for purposes of illustration, and that anycombination of characteristics could be selected using any graphicalelement known in the art.

In some other embodiments, characteristics for one or more of thevirtual monitors can be identified from user preferences stored on theclient device or on a server (e.g., server 122), or one or more settingspreconfigured by a network administrator. In some embodiments, one ormore characteristics can be identified for each of the number of virtualmonitors identified in step 410. After the characteristic(s) of thevirtual monitor(s) have been identified, method 400 can proceed to step430.

In step 430, a virtual monitor can be generated. In some embodiments, avirtual monitor can be generated based on the identifiedcharacteristic(s) in step 430. For example, if the characteristicsidentified for a virtual monitor in step 420 included a resolution of1024×768 pixels and a 16:9 aspect ratio, a virtual monitor withcharacteristics corresponding to a physical display having a 1024×768pixel resolution and a 16:9 aspect ratio can be generated. In someembodiments, a virtual monitor can be generated for each virtual monitorof the number of virtual monitors identified in step 410. In someembodiments, the characteristics identified in step 420 can correspondto characteristics of only one particular physical monitor (e.g.,physical monitor 224) connected to the client device. In suchembodiments, a virtual monitor can be generated for each of the numberof virtual monitors identified in step 410, and each of the generatedvirtual monitors can have the same characteristics that were identifiedin step 420. For example, four virtual monitors can be identified instep 410 and characteristics of the physical monitor connected to theclient device can be identified in step 420. In such an example, fourvirtual monitors can be generated, each having characteristicscorresponding to the physical monitor connected to the client device. Insome other embodiments, different characteristics can be identified foreach of the number of virtual monitors, and the number of virtualmonitors can be generated to have the differing characteristics.

In some embodiments, a virtual monitor can be generated by allocating aportion of hardware layer resources (e.g., hardware layer resources 310)of the virtualization environment. For example, certain processingand/or storage resources can be allocated to the virtual monitor toallow the virtual monitor to emulate a physical monitor displaying acertain portion of a desktop. In some embodiments, a frame buffer (e.g.,frame buffer 316) of a graphic memory (e.g., graphic memory 314) can beallocated for each generated virtual monitor. In some other embodiments,generated virtual monitors can share the frame buffer of the graphicmemory. By allocating processing and/or storage resources to a virtualmonitor, the virtualization environment can simulate a display of aportion of a desktop on a physical monitor having certaincharacteristics, and can store images of the display in a frame buffer.The virtualization environment can support the simulation of a pluralityof different virtual monitors on a plurality of different virtualmachines supporting a plurality of different users, all operatingsimultaneously.

In some embodiments, a virtual monitor can be generated to simulatemultiple virtual monitors. For example, if a resolution of 1024×768pixels has been identified for two virtual monitors, rather than createthe two virtual monitors, virtualization environment can generate asingle virtual monitor with a resolution of 2048×768 pixels, and canstore information so as to identify one half of the virtual monitor ascorresponding to the first requested virtual monitor, and to identifythe other half of the virtual monitor as corresponding to the secondrequested virtual monitor. Doing so can allow a virtualizationenvironment to save resources by, for example, providing only one framebuffer for the single virtual monitor representing the two requestedvirtual monitors. This can be particularly useful in situations whereclient devices with small screen sizes, such as mobile phones, request anumber of virtual monitors, because a single virtual monitor of a higherresolution can represent many physical monitors for such devices. Aftera virtual monitor has been generated in step 430, method 400 can proceedto step 440.

In step 440, a portion of the virtual desktop can be assigned to thevirtual monitor. In some embodiments, the portion of the virtual desktopassigned to a virtual monitor can be determined based on the number ofvirtual monitors identified in step 410. For example, if the number ofvirtual monitors identified in step 410 is one, the entire virtualdesktop can be assigned to the virtual monitor. In some embodiments, ifthe number of virtual monitors identified in step 410 is greater thanone, the virtual desktop can be divided among the virtual monitors, suchthat each virtual monitor displays a portion of the virtual desktop,while not displaying another portion of the virtual desktop. FIG. 6 is adiagram 600 of an exemplary virtual desktop 610, and exemplary virtualmonitors A-D for displaying the exemplary virtual desktop 610. Diagram600 can correspond to a situation where four virtual monitors wereidentified in step 410, and where the same characteristics wereidentified in step 420 for each of the virtual monitors 620A-D. In sucha situation, a virtual desktop, such as virtual desktop 610, can bedivided into four equal parts. A virtual monitor A can be assigned to anupper left quadrant 620A of virtual desktop 610, a virtual monitor B canbe assigned to an upper right quadrant 620B of virtual desktop 610, avirtual monitor C can be assigned to a lower left quadrant 620C ofvirtual desktop 610, and a virtual monitor D can be assigned to a lowerright quadrant 620D of virtual desktop 610.

Although diagram 600 of FIG. 6 illustrates allocating four differentequally sized regions of a rectangular virtual desktop to four differentvirtual monitors, the disclosure is not so limited. A virtual desktopcan have any shape or size, and can be divided into parts based on anyidentified number of virtual monitors. In some embodiments, portions ofa virtual desktop can also be assigned on the basis of characteristicsof the virtual monitors identified in step 420. For example, a virtualmonitor generated with a higher resolution based on characteristicsidentified in step 420 can be assigned a larger portion of a virtualdesktop than a virtual monitor generated with a lower resolution basedon characteristics identified in step 420. In some embodiments, allportions of the virtual desktop can be assigned to virtual monitors instep 440. After the portion of the virtual desktop has been assigned instep 440, method 400 can proceed to step 450.

In step 450, an image of the portion of the virtual desktop displayed ina virtual monitor can be captured. As noted previously with respect tostep 440, each virtual monitor can simulate the rendering of a certainportion of a virtual desktop on a physical monitor having certaincharacteristics. Each of the virtual monitors can have a frame buffer ofthe graphic memory allocated to it, or the virtual monitors can share aframe buffer. FIG. 7A illustrates an exemplary computing environment 700for providing images of the virtual monitors to a client device. Forexample, in exemplary computing environment 700, each virtual monitorA-D 720A-D has been allocated its own frame buffer A-D) 710A-D,respectively. A frame buffer can capture image data from the renderingsof the portions of the virtual desktop on a virtual monitor. Forexample, a frame buffer can capture an image frame from a virtualmonitor at a periodic interval (e.g., 10 ms), and store the image framein the frame buffer. Alternatively, a frame buffer can captureinformation representing an image frame. Such information could be anytype of information associated with image and/or video compression andknown in the art. After an image of the portion of the virtual desktopdisplayed in a virtual monitor has been captured, method 400 can proceedto step 460.

In step 460, the image can be provided for presenting on a physicalmonitor of a client device. For example, a user of the client device canselect one of the virtual monitors as being active, and images stored ina frame buffer associated with the selected virtual monitor can beprovided to the client device. In some embodiments where the clientdevice is remote from the computing system implementing thevirtualization environment, the images can be transmitted over one ormore networks, such as public network(s) 104 and/or private network(s)110. Block diagram 700 of FIG. 7A illustrates a situation in which auser has selected to make virtual monitor A 720A active (as indicated bythe darkened lines corresponding to virtual monitor A 720A). A switch730, which can be based in hardware and/or software, can select virtualmonitor A 720A and cause images from frame buffer A 710A to be sent toclient device 102A-F, such as over one or more networks (e.g., publicnetwork(s) 104 and/or private network(s) 110).

Exemplary computing environment 700 of FIG. 7A can correspond to asituation in which a client device (e.g., client device 102A-F) has onephysical monitor (e.g., physical monitor 224) connected to it, but hasrequested four virtual monitors. In such a situation, the physicalmonitor can only be capable of displaying image data of one virtualmonitor at a time. Accordingly, the user can select which virtualmonitor that the user wishes to view at any given time. Nevertheless, itwill be recognized that a user using a client device (e.g., clientdevice 102A-F) having multiple connected physical monitors can selectmultiple virtual monitors for viewing simultaneously. For example, auser using a client device (e.g., client device 102A-F) having twoconnected physical monitors (e.g., physical monitors 224) can select twoof the virtual monitors, such as virtual monitor A 720A and virtualmonitor B 720B, for viewing simultaneously. In some embodiments, thevirtual monitors that are not selected for viewing by a user at aparticular time can be in a paused state. These virtual monitors cancontinue to virtualize the display of a portion of the virtual desktop,and corresponding frame buffers can continue to store updated images ofthese virtual monitors. However, a computing system (e.g., computingsystem 200) implementing virtualization environment (e.g.,virtualization environment 300) can stop the transmission of images fromthese virtual monitors until they are again selected by the user.Moreover, the computing system can also save processing and/or memoryresources when virtual monitors are in a paused state. For example,frame buffers associated with paused virtual monitors can be updatedless frequently with image data, and/or the amount of memory allocatedto a paused virtual monitor can be decreased until the virtual monitoris again selected as active.

A user of a client device (e.g., client device 102A-F) viewing one ofthe virtual monitors can select a different virtual monitor for viewing.For example, a user of a client device (e.g., client device 102A-F) withone physical monitor (e.g., physical monitor 224) viewing virtualmonitor A 720A of FIG. 7A can wish to view virtual monitor C 720C. Auser can select to switch to virtual monitor C 720C by selecting agraphical element on the physical monitor, such as a graphical elementdisplayed in virtual monitor A 720A. Alternatively, a user can select toswitch to virtual monitor C 720C by selecting one or more keys on a userinput device, such as a keyboard. For example, a user can enter ashortcut key combination, such as “Alt+S” or “Alt+R” to toggle betweenvirtual Monitors. In some embodiments, a graphical element or user inputkey can be associated with a particular virtual monitor, and selectionof that graphical element or user input key can cause the virtualizationenvironment 300 to switch to the corresponding virtual monitor. In someembodiments, a graphical element or user input key may not be associatedwith a particular virtual monitor, and selection of the graphicalelement or user input key will instead toggle through each of thevirtual monitors, displaying each in turn. For example, a user viewingvirtual monitor A 720A of FIG. 7A can select a graphical element orpress a button to toggle from virtual monitor A 720A to virtual monitorB 720B. If the user is not interested in virtual monitor B 720B, theuser can again select the graphical element or press the key to togglevirtual monitor B 720B to virtual monitor C 720C of FIG. 7A.Alternatively, virtualization environment 300 can automatically togglebetween the virtual monitors in response to a selection of a graphicalelement or key, and can cycle through the virtual monitors, displayingeach for a period of time until the next virtual monitor is displayed.When the virtual monitor that the user is interested in is displayed,the user can select a graphical element or key to stop the toggling andstay on that virtual monitor. In some embodiments, a user interfacescreen with selectable icons corresponding to each of the virtualmonitors can be displayed in response to a selection or a graphicalelement or key, and can allow the user to designate the desired virtualmonitor by selecting an icon corresponding to the desired virtualmonitor.

FIG. 7B illustrates exemplary computing environment 700 after a userviewing virtual monitor A 720A has selected to switch to virtual monitorC 720C. As illustrated in FIG. 7B, after the user selects to switch tovirtual monitor C 720C, switch 730 switches to frame buffer C 710C andimages from virtual monitor C 720C are sent to client device 102A-F.This is illustrated by the darkened lines associated with frame buffer C710C and virtual monitor C 720C in FIG. 7B. As further illustrated inFIG. 7B, virtual monitor A 720A is paused in response to the userselection to switch to virtual monitor C 720C. This is illustrated inFIG. 7B by the fact that frame buffer A 710A and virtual monitor A 720Aare no longer illustrated by darkened lines.

FIGS. 8A-B illustrates views of virtual monitors on a physical monitor(e.g. physical monitor 224) of a client device, corresponding tocomputing environment 700 of FIGS. 7A-B. For example, client environment810 of FIG. 8A can correspond to the display of virtual monitor A 720A.As shown in the example of FIG. 8A, the physical monitor displaysvirtual monitor A, which can include a portion of the virtual desktopincluding a top portion of an application 830. After the user hasselected to switch to virtual monitor C, such as in the example of FIG.7B, the physical monitor can display a different portion of the virtualdesktop corresponding to virtual monitor C, including a bottom portionof application 830.

FIGS. 9A-B illustrates additional views of virtual monitors on aphysical monitor (e.g. physical monitor 224) of a client device,corresponding to computing environment 700 of FIGS. 7A-B. For example,client environment 910 of FIG. 9A can correspond to the display ofvirtual monitor A 720A. As shown in the example of FIG. 9A, the physicalmonitor displays virtual monitor A, which can include a portion of thevirtual desktop including a first application (e.g., application 1 930)displayed in full screen. Full screen display can correspond to adisplay mode in which an application is displayed so as to fill theentire virtual monitor. Alternatively, full screen display cancorrespond to a display mode in which an application is displayed at itsmaximum size within a virtual monitor. For example, an application thathas a maximum resolution that is less than the resolution of a virtualmonitor can have a maximum size that is smaller than that of the virtualmonitor. After the user has selected to switch to virtual monitor C,such as in the example of FIG. 7B, the physical monitor can display adifferent portion of the virtual desktop corresponding to virtualmonitor C, including a second application (e.g., application 2 940). Insome embodiments, the second application may be displayed in full screenmode.

In some embodiments, user input devices associated with a client device102A-F may need to be mapped to the different virtual monitors when theyare selected for display. For example, a virtual desktop, such asvirtual desktop 1010 of FIG. 10, can have a coordinate plane that isgreater in size than the coordinate plane of a single virtual monitorthat can be displayed on a physical monitor (e.g., physical monitor 224)of a client device (e.g., client device 102A-F). In the example of FIG.10, the physical monitor is only displaying the portion of virtualdesktop 1010 provided in virtual monitor A 1020A. A pointer, such as amouse, can be displayed at a particular X, Y position in virtual monitorA 1020A on the physical monitor. In some embodiments, when a userselects to switch to a different virtual monitor, X, Y coordinates ofthe position of the pointer on the physical monitor can be transmittedto the computer system (e.g., computer system 200) implementing avirtualization environment (e.g., virtualization environment 300). Thevirtualization environment can then map the X, Y coordinates of theposition of the pointer on the physical monitor to X, Y coordinates inthe selected virtual monitor. For example, the virtualizationenvironment can consult a conversion table or list to convert thecoordinates. An exemplary conversion table 1100 corresponding to virtualdesktop 1010 of FIG. 10 is illustrated in FIG. 11. The conversion tablecan list information for converting the coordinates of the physicalmonitor of FIG. 10 to coordinates of a virtual monitor. For example,conversion table 1100 indicates that the X coordinates in a virtualmonitor A 1020A (e.g., X₁) are the same as the X coordinates in thephysical monitor (e.g., X₁), and that the Y coordinates in a virtualmonitor A 1020A correspond to the Y coordinates in the physical monitor(e.g., Y₁) plus some amount Y_(N). The additional amount Y_(N) candepend on characteristics of virtual monitor A 1020A, such as a sizeand/or resolution of virtual monitor A 1020A. Similar conversions arelisted in exemplary table 1100 for virtual monitors B-D 1020B-D. It willbe appreciated that conversion table 1100 is provided only for purposesof illustration, and that the conversion values in a conversion tablecan vary depending on the characteristics of the virtual monitors and/orthe number of virtual monitors. Additionally, it will be appreciatedthat conversion table 1100 can provide conversion values for convertingmultiple physical monitors to virtual monitor coordinates, such as in asituation where multiple physical monitors are attached to the clientdevice.

As was described previously, method 400 of FIG. 4 can be initiated undera variety of different situations. In some embodiments step 410 canoccur after a request for the virtual desktop is received. For example,a client device (e.g., client device 102A-F) can use a protocol (e.g.,ICA) to establish a connection with one or more computer systems (e.g.,computer systems 200, such as servers 122) that provide a virtualizationenvironment (e.g., virtualization environment 300). In some embodiments,client software can be installed on the client device that allows theclient device to establish the connection using the protocol. In someembodiments, the request for the virtual desktop can be received as partof establishing the connection with the computer system providing thevirtualization environment. In some other embodiments, the request canbe received after a user has made a selection on the client device. Forexample, after a connection is established with the computer systemproviding the virtualization environment, a user interface screen, suchas exemplary screen 1205 of FIG. 12A, can be displayed to the user ofthe client device.

Exemplary screen 1205 illustrates a number of selectable graphical userinterface elements (e.g., icons) 1210, 1220, 1230 corresponding tovirtual desktops from which a user can select. The virtual desktops fromwhich a user can select can correspond to the different virtual desktops340A-C of the different virtual operating systems 330A-C provided byvirtual machines 332A-C of a virtualization environment (e.g.,virtualization environment 300). For example, desktop A 1210 couldcorrespond to a Windows™ Vista desktop, desktop B 1220 could correspondto a Windows™ 7 desktop, and desktop C 1230 could correspond to a Linuxdesktop. In some embodiments, a virtual desktop can be a virtualizationof a particular desktop environment on a physical computer locatedremotely from a client device (e.g., client device 102A-F), such as avirtualization of an employee's work computer. For example, an employeecan use the client device at home to access a virtual desktop of his/herwork computer located in an office building. Although three differentvirtual desktops are illustrated in FIG. 12A, the disclosure is not solimited. A user can select from any number (e.g., one or more) ofvirtual desktops. In some embodiments, the virtualization environmentcan be provided locally on the client device, and the request can bereceived locally based on a user selection of a desired virtual desktop.Once a virtual desktop has been selected, steps 410 and 420 can beperformed as described previously. For example, a user could select anumber of virtual monitors and characteristics of the virtual monitorsusing user interface screens, such as user interface screens 505 and 510of FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively.

In some embodiments, method 400 of FIG. 4 can be initiated when a useris interacting with a virtual desktop in a virtual monitor. For example,a user can be interacting with a virtual desktop in a virtual monitor,such as virtual desktop 1220 in a virtual monitor 1230 of FIG. 12B, andcan select a graphical element, such as graphical element 1240, tocreate one or more additional virtual monitors and/or to changecharacteristics of one or more existing virtual monitors. A user couldthen select a number of virtual monitors and/or characteristics of thevirtual monitors using user interface screens, such as user interfacescreen 505 of FIG. SA and/or user interface screen 510 of FIG. 5B. Basedon the selected values, the virtual desktop could then be reapportionedacross the newly selected virtual monitors and/or across virtualmonitors having changed characteristics. For example, if the user hadpreviously been interacting with a virtual desktop in two virtualmonitors, and selected to create two additional virtual monitors, thevirtual desktop can be increased in size across the four virtualmonitors.

In some embodiments, method 400 of FIG. 4 can be initiated when a useris interacting with a first application in a virtual desktop in avirtual monitor, such as first application 1250 in virtual desktop 1260in virtual monitor 1270 of FIG. 12C, and selects a graphical element1280 to open a second application. In some embodiments, the firstapplication may be displayed in the virtual monitor in full screen. Inresponse to the user selection of graphical element 1280, thevirtualization environment can automatically determine that a newvirtual monitor should be generated in which to display the secondapplication. Accordingly, the new virtual monitor can be automaticallygenerated, based on settings in the virtualization environment and/orstored user preferences. The virtual desktop can then be increased insize across the new virtual monitor, and the second application can beautomatically displayed in the new virtual monitor. Alternatively, theuser can be presented with one or more user interface screens afterselecting the second application. For example, a first user interfacescreen can ask whether the user wishes to open the second application ina new virtual monitor. If the user desires to open a new virtualmonitor, screens, such as screen 505 of FIG. 5A and/or screen 510 ofFIG. 5B, can be displayed to determine a number of new virtual monitorsto generate and/or characteristics for one or more new virtual monitors.In some embodiments, the second application can be displayed in the newvirtual monitor in full screen.

The methods disclosed herein can be implemented as a computer programproduct, i.e., a computer program tangibly embodied in an informationcarrier, e.g., in a non-transitory machine-readable storage device or ina propagated signal, for execution by, or to control the operation of, adata processing apparatus, e.g., a programmable processor, a computer,or multiple computers. A computer program can be written in any form orprogramming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, andit can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or asone or more modules, one or more components, one or more subroutines, orone or more other units suitable for use in a computing environment. Acomputer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or onmultiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites andinterconnected by a communication network.

In the preceding specification, the subject matter has been describedwith reference to specific exemplary embodiments. It will, however, beevident that various modifications and changes can be made withoutdeparting from the broader spirit and scope of the subject matter as setforth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings areaccordingly to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.Other embodiments may be apparent to those skilled in the art fromconsideration of the specification and practice of the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A computerized system for providing virtualmonitors, comprising: a graphics memory including at least two framebuffers; and one or more processors that execute instructions to:identify a number of virtual monitors associated with a virtual desktop;identify characteristics for the virtual monitors; generate at least twovirtual monitors based at least in part on the identifiedcharacteristics; assign a first portion of a generated virtual desktopto an active virtual monitor of the at least two virtual monitors andassign a second portion of the generated virtual desktop to a pausedvirtual monitor of the at least two virtual monitors, the active andpaused virtual monitors each having a respective frame buffer associatedtherewith, with the assigned first and second portions corresponding torespective displays of the generated virtual desktop; capture an imageof at least one of the first and second portions of the generatedvirtual desktop; and provide the captured image for presenting on aphysical monitor of a client device while the frame buffer associatedwith the paused virtual monitor is updated less frequently with imagedata.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein an additional portion of thegenerated virtual desktop is not assigned to the at least two virtualmonitors based on the identified number, and the captured images of thefirst portion and second portion not include the additional portion. 3.The system of claim 1, wherein the generated virtual desktop is avirtualization of a desktop implemented on a physical computing devicethat is remote from the client device, and the characteristicscorrespond to characteristics of a physical monitor connected to thephysical computing device.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein thecharacteristics correspond to characteristics of the physical monitor ofthe client device.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the characteristicsinclude at least one of an aspect ratio, resolution, dimension, type,refresh rate, number of pixels, video format, or contrast for thevirtual monitor.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or moreprocessors further execute the instructions to: receive an indication ofa user selection to switch to the paused virtual monitor; and providethe captured image of the second portion of the generated virtualdesktop for presenting on the physical monitor of the client device inresponse to the received indication.
 7. The system of claim 6, whereinthe one or more processors further execute the instructions to: identifyfirst coordinates associated with a pointer displayed on the physicalmonitor of the client device; map the first coordinates to secondcoordinates associated with the first or second portion of the generatedvirtual desktop; and provide the pointer for display in the image of thefirst or second portion of the generated virtual desktop based on themapping.
 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a first framebuffer associated with the first portion; and a second frame bufferassociated with the second portion; wherein the captured image is storedin the first frame buffer or the second frame buffer, and the firstframe buffer is updated at a higher frequency than the second framebuffer.
 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a first amount ofmemory allocated to the first portion; and a second amount of memoryallocated to the second portion; wherein the second amount of memory isreduced in comparison to the first amount of memory.
 10. Acomputer-implemented method for providing virtual monitors, comprisingthe following operations performed by one or more processors:identifying a number of virtual monitors associated with a virtualdesktop; identifying characteristics for the virtual monitors includinga size of the respective virtual monitor; generating at least twovirtual monitors based at least in part on the identifiedcharacteristics; assigning a first portion of a generated virtualdesktop to an active virtual monitor of the at least two virtualmonitors and assign a second portion of the generated virtual desktop toa paused virtual monitor of the at least two virtual monitors, theactive and paused virtual monitors each having a respective frame bufferassociated therewith, with the assigned first and second portionscorresponding to respective displays of the generated virtual desktop,and with each display having the identified size of the respectivevirtual monitor; capturing an image of at least one of the first andsecond portions of the generated virtual desktop; and providing thecaptured image for presenting on a physical monitor of a client devicewhile the frame buffer associated with the paused virtual monitor isupdated less frequently with image data.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein the generated virtual desktop is a virtualization of a desktopimplemented on a physical computing device that is remote from theclient device, and the characteristics correspond to characteristics ofa physical monitor connected to the physical computing device.
 12. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the characteristics correspond tocharacteristics of the physical monitor of the client device.
 13. Themethod of claim 10, further comprising: receiving an indication of auser selection to switch to the paused virtual monitor; and providingthe captured image of the second portion of the generated virtualdesktop for presenting on the physical monitor of the client device inresponse to the received indication.
 14. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising: identifying first coordinates associated with a pointerdisplayed on the monitor of the client device; mapping the firstcoordinates to second coordinates associated with the first or secondportion of the generated virtual desktop; and providing the pointer fordisplay in the image of the first or second portion of the generatedvirtual desktop based on the mapping.
 15. The method of claim 10,further comprising: receiving an indication of a user selection to openan application; and generating a third virtual monitor based on thereceived indication.
 16. The method of claim 10, further comprising:associating a first frame buffer with the first portion; and associatinga second frame buffer with the second portion; wherein the capturedimage is stored in the first frame buffer or the second frame buffer,and the first frame buffer is updated at a higher frequency than thesecond frame buffer.
 17. The method of claim 10, further comprising:allocating a first amount of memory to the first portion; and allocatinga second amount of memory to the second portion; wherein the allocatedsecond amount of memory is reduced in comparison to the first amount ofmemory.
 18. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storinginstructions that are executable by one or more processors to cause theone or more processors to perform a method, the method comprising:identifying a number of virtual monitors associated with a virtualdesktop; identifying characteristics for the virtual monitors includinga size of the respective virtual monitor; generating a at least twovirtual monitors based at least in part on the identifiedcharacteristics; assigning a first portion of a generated virtualdesktop to an active virtual monitor of the at least two virtualmonitors and assign a second portion of the generated virtual desktop toa paused virtual monitor of the at least two virtual monitors, theactive and paused virtual monitors each having a respective frame bufferassociated therewith, with the assigned first and second portionscorresponding to respective displays of the generated virtual desktop,and with each display having the identified size of the respectivevirtual monitor; capturing an image at least one of the first and secondportions of the generated virtual desktop; and providing the capturedimage for presenting on a physical monitor of a client device while theframe buffer associated with the paused virtual monitor is updated lessfrequently with image data.
 19. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 18, the method further comprising: associating a firstframe buffer with the first portion; and associating a second framebuffer with the second portion, wherein the captured image is stored inthe first frame buffer or the second frame buffer, and the first framebuffer is updated at a higher frequency than the second frame buffer.20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, the methodfurther comprising: allocating a first amount of memory to the firstportion; and allocating a second amount of memory to the second portion,wherein the allocated second amount of memory is reduced in comparisonto the first amount of memory.